Performative or Commitment?

Emmersyn Hadley • February 28th, 2026

New Year’s resolutions have been a long-standing tradition, but do people actually follow through with them, or do they simply set people up for failure? Some believe resolutions are a positive practice because they provide a clear goal and set individuals on a path to success. On the other hand, many argue that resolutions are an outdated tradition and are not always practical, as jobs, school and other activities often leave little time for personal improvement. While they are often criticized, New Year’s resolutions can encourage accountability, foster personal growth and give people a renewed sense of direction for the year ahead.

One of the main benefits of creating New Year’s resolutions is accountability as they can encourage organized and structured commitment to change (Forbes). People tend to share their New Year's resolutions with their friends and family, which creates pressure to see changes through. Additionally, the beginning of a new year represents a fresh start and rekindles the determination to pursue such intentions. By taking accountability of a goal publicly, people become obliged to take ownership over their decisions and lifestyle (Medium). However, accountability can also be personal rather than public. Freshman Damien Kaspian summarized how he keeps up with his New Year’s resolutions.

“I like to write [my New Year’s resolutions] down on paper,” Kaspien said. “When I look at it every day, it reminds me that there is an end goal and [I] just have to keep working to achieve that goal.”

New Year’s resolutions promote personal development by encouraging self-reflection and a determination to change (PubMed). Through reflecting on their current state, individuals identify both the skills they are proficient in and the areas in which they need improvement. As people work toward fulfilling their New Year’s resolutions, they often encounter obstacles that require persistence and adaptability. Rising to these challenges helps individuals develop discipline, time management, perseverance, <remove oxford and other essential life skills critical to success. Even when a new challenge presents itself, a person’s ability to modify their strategies and continue moving forward ultimately increases mental resiliency and builds self-confidence (PubMed). New Year’s resolutions serve as a tool for long-term personal growth and sustained self-development. Freshman Adam Tamashiro shared his opinions on how resolutions contribute to personal growth.

“I make New Year's resolutions if there is a goal I want to achieve,” Tamashiro said. “Most of the time I am able to achieve them and it teaches how I can grow and become better if I set my mind toward what I want.”

Tamashiro's comments affirm that each time one works to achieve a resolution, the experience teaches them to recognize their own potential and develop a mindset that emphasizes continual growth.

Critics of New Year’s resolutions argue that they are not an effective method for creating change (Psychology Today). However, the issue is not the concept of resolutions themselves, but how they are created. The reason why people give up on their resolutions is because people do not set realistic goals or create a well thought out action plan for themselves (PubMed). People’s failure in achieving their goals should not be viewed as a failure of the entire concept of resolutions, but rather as a result of how and what goals are set. The structure of New Year's resolutions gives people a place to start, especially for those who find it difficult to create an action plan for improving their own lives regularly. When goals are set appropriately with an actionable plan, New Year resolutions can greatly improve long-term change in people's lives (PubMed). Even if a person's resolution is not entirely achieved, the process of developing the resolution encourages self-awareness and self-reflection. The very act of creating resolutions can also be beneficial because failing to achieve resolutions can help individuals learn from their mistakes. Sophomore Rinah Yatman explained how New Year's resolutions are beneficial to her.

“I usually do not create New Year’s resolutions because I am not the best at keeping up with them,” Yatman said. “However, when I do make goals and accomplish them, it makes me feel good about myself.”

Overall, despite New Year’s resolutions not always being recognized for their benefits, they certainly provide a valuable structure for supporting personal development and self-accountability. Setting and reaching goals will help people better discipline themselves and shows persistence. Even minor achievements can promote motivation and increase the chances of having a growth-oriented mindset. The true value of the New Year’s resolution process lies in the attempt to enhance one’s personal quality of life and what that will lead to in terms of further opportunities for continued education, growth and overall improvement.